DATE=04/14/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09823

TITLE=EDITORIAL: BUSH ON MIDEAST LEADERSHIP

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.

Voice: In the Middle East, as President George W. Bush said, "The outlines of a just settlement are clear: two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side, in peace and security. . . . But it calls for leadership, not for terror."

Since September 11th, said Mr. Bush, the United States has delivered this message: "you're either with the civilized world, or you're with the terrorists. All in the Middle East also must choose and must move decisively in word and deed against terrorist acts."

President Bush said, "America recognizes Israel's right to defend itself from terror. Yet, to lay the foundations of future peace. . .Israel [should] halt incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas and begin the withdrawal from those cities it has recently occupied." Last week, Israel said it had begun to withdraw from Tulkarem [tul-KAR-em] and Qalqilya [kal-KILL-ee-yah].

Mr. Bush called "on the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, and [America's] friends in the Arab world to join us in delivering a clear message to terrorists: blowing yourself up does not help the Palestinian cause."

And, President Bush said, "Those governments, like Iraq, that reward parents for the sacrifice of their children are guilty of soliciting murder of the worst kind. All who care about the Palestinian people should join in condemning and acting against groups like [the] Al-Aqsa [Martyrs Brigades], Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and all groups which oppose the peace process and seek the destruction of Israel."

Mr. Bush warned "those who would try to use the current crisis as an opportunity to widen the conflict [to] stay out. Iran's arms shipments and support for terror fuel the fire of conflict in the Middle East. And it must stop. Syria has spoken out against al-Qaida. We expect it to act against Hamas and Hezbollah, as well. It's time," said Mr. Bush, "for Iran to focus on meeting its own people's aspirations for freedom and for Syria to decide which side of the war against terror it is on."

"Peace is possible when we break free of old patterns and habits of hatred," said President Bush. "America is committed to ending this conflict and beginning an era of peace."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.